U.S. patent number 5,337,420 [Application Number 07/970,618] was granted by the patent office on 1994-08-16 for method and apparatus for mounting and locating a helmet comfortably on the head of a person, and combination resulting therefrom.
Invention is credited to Keith N. Groves, Elbert M. Haysom.
United States Patent |
5,337,420 |
Haysom , et al. |
August 16, 1994 |
Method and apparatus for mounting and locating a helmet comfortably
on the head of a person, and combination resulting therefrom
Abstract
A method of locating properly and comfortably a protective
helmet on the head of a person. A fit, locating and comfort band is
mounted around the persons head, namely adjacent the ears and the
back of the head and over the forehead. Thereafter, a protective
plastic helmet having a foam lining is mounted over the band as a
separate and distinct operation. The method further comprises
employing a harness above the band to aid in keeping it in place
while the helmet is subsequently mounted, and to protect the top of
the head from discomfort caused by a central foam element of the
helmet. The apparatus comprises the band and harness and helmet
employed in combination with each other, but with no need for the
band or harness to be connected to the helmet. In accordance with
another aspect of the method and apparatus, an inflatable bladder
is employed to aid in maintaining the band and helmet in the
desired positions.
Inventors: |
Haysom; Elbert M. (Orange,
CA), Groves; Keith N. (Salt Lake City, UT) |
Family
ID: |
25517206 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/970,618 |
Filed: |
November 3, 1992 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/410; 2/181;
2/417; 2/425 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B
3/14 (20130101); A42B 3/145 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A42B
3/10 (20060101); A42B 3/04 (20060101); A42B
001/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;2/410,411,412,413,414,416,417,418,419,420,422,425,181,183,181.6,DIG.11 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Crowder; Clifford D.
Assistant Examiner: Neas; Michael A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gausewitz; Richard L.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of improving the fit and comfort of a protective helmet
on the head of a person, which comprises:
(a) providing a fit and comfort band constructed and sized to fit
resiliently around the head of a person with sufficient tightness
to be a close fit on such head, but without sufficient tightness to
create discomfort;
(b) providing a harness to support said band,
said harness being adapted to rest on top of such head,
(c) mounting said band around such head and said harness over such
head, so that said band extends across the forehead, and across the
back of such head at the upper end of the neck,
said mounting step being performed without any helmet being present
on such head,
(d) providing a protective helmet for such head,
said helmet having interior padding or lining that at the interior
thereof is sized to fit such head but with sufficient clearance
that said band will fit between such head and said padding or
lining when said band is mounted around such head, and
(e) mounting said helmet on such head in such manner that said
padding or lining fits around said band adjacent thereto,
said mounting of said helmet being effected as a separate step
subsequently to said step of mounting said band and harness on such
head.
2. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said method
further comprises employing as said fit and comfort band a thin
plural-layer band having an outer cloth layer, an inner cloth
layer, and fill therebetween.
3. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said method
further comprises performing said method relative to a person who
is a minor, and employing as said protective helmet a baseball
helmet having a solid synthetic resin shell on which there is a
visor, and having, as said interior padding or lining, foam
synthetic resin.
4. A method of improving the fit and comfort of a protective helmet
on the head of a person, which comprises:
(a) providing a fit and comfort band constructed and sized to fit
resiliently around the head of a person with sufficient tightness
to be a close fit on such head, but without sufficient tightness to
create discomfort;
(b) mounting said band around such head, so that said band extends
across the forehead, and across the back of such head at the upper
end of the neck,
said mounting step being performed without any helmet being present
at such head,
(c) mounting a crown pad above such head at the top-center thereof,
and anchoring said pad to said fit and comfort band,
(d) providing a protective helmet for such head, said helmet having
interior padding or lining that at the interior thereof is sized to
fit such head but with sufficient clearance that said band will fit
between such head and said padding or lining when said band is
mounted around such head, and
(e) mounting said helmet on such head in such manner that said
padding or lining fits around said band adjacent thereto,
said mounting of said helmet being effected as a separate step
subsequently to said step of mounting said band.
5. The invention as claimed in claim 4, in which said
crown-pad-mounting step is performed simultaneously with said step
of mounting said band around said head, by causing said crown pad
to be anchored to said band before said band is mounted on such
head.
6. A combination protective helmet and comfort element for an
athlete, said combination comprising:
(a) a protective athletic helmet having a synthetic resin
shell,
said shell having padding or lining interiorly thereof,
(b) a closed-loop element adapted to circle the head of an athlete
at the forehead and back of the head,
(c) a pad adapted to protect the crown of the head from said
athletic helmet, and
(d) means to connect said pad to said closed-loop element in such
manner that said pad is maintained positioned over such crown when
said closed-loop element is mounted on such head in circling
relationship,
characterized in that said helmet, closed-loop element and pad are
all present at the same time on said head so that said pad aids in
supporting said helmet and preventing chafing of said crown by said
helmet,
and further characterized in that neither said closed-loop element
nor said pad nor said connector means is secured to said
helmet.
7. The invention as claimed in claim 6, in which said closed-loop
element is a fit and comfort band constructed and sized to fit
resiliently around said head.
8. The invention as claimed in claim 7, in which said fit and
comfort band is thin, so as to fit between said padding or lining
and said head.
9. The invention as claimed in claim 6, in which said connector
means are a plurality of circumferentially-spaced flexible strips
extended between said closed-loop element and said pad.
10. The invention as claimed in claim 9, in which said pad is a
soft foam element connected to said strips.
11. The invention as claimed in claim 6, in which said protective
athletic helmet is a baseball helmet having a solid synthetic resin
shell, and having foam synthetic resin as said padding or
lining.
12. A combination protective helmet and comfort element for an
athlete, said combination comprising:
(a) a protective athletic helmet having a synthetic resin
shell,
said shell having padding or lining interiorly thereof,
(b) a closed-loop element adapted to circle the head of an athlete
at the forehead and back of the head,
said closed-loop element being a fit and comfort band that is thin
so as to fit between said head and said padding or lining,
said closed-loop element being sufficiently wide to occupy much
space between said head and said padding or lining, and
(c) means to support said band,
said means being adapted to rest on top of said head,
characterized in that said helmet and said band and said support
means are present at the same time on said head, and
further characterized in that said helmet and said band are not
connected to each other, and further characterized in that said
helmet and said support means are not connected to each other.
13. The invention as claimed in claim 12, in which a crown pad is
mounted above said fit and comfort band and connected thereto, said
crown pad nesting between the crown of said head and the
inner-center part of the top of said helmet, neither said fit and
comfort band nor said crown pad nor the connection between said
crown pad and fit and comfort band being connected to said
helmet.
14. The invention as claimed in claim 12, in which said fit and
comfort band has parallel outer and inner cloth layers, and thin
padding between said layers.
15. The invention as claimed in claim 14, in which said outer layer
is cotton broadcloth, said inner layer is cotton knit fabric, and
said padding is fiberfill.
16. The invention as claimed in claim 15, in which said fiberfill
is about 1/8 inch thick.
17. The invention as claimed in claim 12, in which inflation means
are provided to partially inflate said band after the same is
mounted on such head interiorly of the helmet.
18. A method of improving the fit and comfort of a protective
helmet on the head of a person, which comprises:
(a) providing a fit and comfort band constructed and sized to fit
resiliently around the head of a person with sufficient tightness
to be a close fit on such head, but without sufficient tightness to
create discomfort;
(b) mounting said band around such head, so that said band extends
across the forehead, and across the back of such head at the upper
end of the neck,
said mounting step being performed without any helmet being present
at such head,
(c) providing a protective helmet for such head,
said helmet having interior padding or lining that at the interior
thereof is sized to fit such head but with sufficient clearance
that said band will fit between such head and said padding or
lining when said band is mounted around such head,
(d) mounting said helmet on such head in such manner that said
padding or lining fits around said band adjacent thereto,
said mounting of said helmet being effected as a separate step
subsequently to said step of mounting said band, and
(e) partially inflating said fit and comfort band after the same is
mounted on such head and after said helmet is mounted over said
band.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Baseball helmets for minors typically consist of a hard thin shell
of solid synthetic resin, inside which is fixedly secured a foam
material that is often quite hard--for example at the front and
back of the shell. It is conventional for the manufacturers of such
baseball helmets to make all of the shells the same size, and then
achieve size variations by changing the thickness of the foam
material. Thus, the foam in a large-size helmet is relatively thin
in comparison to that in a small-size helmet.
Regardless of the size of the person's head, the baseball helmets
often do not fit well. Thus, for example, it has become a
stereotype of children's baseball to show--for example in a motion
picture--a protective helmet sliding around on the minor's head as
he or she runs the bases.
A related problem is that of discomfort at the crown of the minor's
head. The heavy helmet slides little or much relative to the head,
which is not at all comfortable.
What are needed are a method and apparatus whereby stock,
off-the-shelf conventional helmets can be made to fit comfortably
on the head, with little or no difficulty and at low cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A protective helmet having a shock-absorbing lining is provided but
not yet mounted on the head.
The athlete mounts a fit and comfort band around his or her head,
namely across the forehead, adjacent the ears, and above the
neck--such band being associated with a harness that extends over
the head.
Thereafter, as a separate operation, the athlete places over the
fit and comfort band and over the harness the protective helmet, in
such relationship that the band fits between the head and the foam
or other shock-absorbing lining.
In accordance with one embodiment of the method of the invention, a
subsequent step is then performed as a separate operation, namely
that an air bladder is pumped up to occupy an additional amount of
space between the fit and comfort band and the helmet lining.
In accordance with the apparatus of the invention, the fit and
comfort band is thin in a direction perpendicular to the skull of
the wearer and, furthermore, has an outer layer that does not bind
or grip relative to the (usually) foam liner of the helmet. This
construction, coupled with a function of the harness, prevent the
fit and comfort liner from sliding downwardly as the helmet is
mounted. Preferably, in accordance with an aspect of the method,
the helmet is spread apart at the ear portions thereof during the
mounting operation.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the fit and
comfort band is in three layers, including the above-mentioned
outer layer and a thin interior cushion and sweat-absorbing
substance. The inner layer is a sweat-absorbing cloth.
The harness comprises stretch bands that extend upwardly from the
fit and comfort band to a central crown that rests beneath the
center of the helmet. The crown pad is a major part of the
preferred embodiment in that it makes the combination greatly more
comfortable.
A resilient connection element is provided between adjacent regions
of the fit and comfort band to permit the same to adapt to
different sizes of heads, within a predetermined range.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an apparatus constructed in
accordance with the present invention, as mounted on the head of an
athlete;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the showing of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 3--3 of
FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a front isometric view showing mounting of the helmet
over the fit and comfort band and the associated harness and crown
pad;
FIG. 5 is a generally vertical central sectional view of the
helmet, in combination with a side elevational view of the band,
harness and the head of the athlete; and
FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an apparatus constructed in
accordance with a second embodiment, in which bladder and
associated pump means are provided in association with the fit and
comfort band, portions being broken away to show parts of these
elements.
DISCLAIMER
Strictly for purposes of description, and for no other reason,
there are employed in this specification and claims such words as
"protective", "shock-absorbing", etc. It is emphasized, however,
that the present applicants have nothing to do with the
construction of any helmet (including the shell and/or foam or
other liner portion therein). An off-the-shelf helmet is employed,
and applicants neither know nor represent that there is any
protective of shock absorbing action effected by that helmet. The
present fit and comfort liner, including the harness and crown pad
(and the bladder and pump when one is employed), do not perform any
shock-absorbing function.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring first to FIGS. 4 and 5, a typical baseball helmet for
minors is shown at 10. It has a hard solid synthetic resin
helmet-shaped shell 11 that is integral with a visor 12. Padding is
mounted to the interior of shell 11 for the purpose of cooperating
with the shell to provide a degree of protection of the head 14 of
the athlete from baseballs, etc.
Typically, the padding is foam synthetic resin. It typically
includes front and back pads 16,17 that are quite hard foam resin
but are intended to absorb shocks. It also typically includes side
pads 18 that are foam synthetic resin and are typically of an
intermediate hardness/softness. At the upper-inner crown portion of
the shell 11 is mounted a donut-shaped pad 19 of soft foam
synthetic resin. The pads 16-18 typically extend all the way around
the front, back and sides of the helmet, and they typically have
relatively flat interior surfaces. The latter are often spaced
somewhat away from head 14 because it does not occur in a high
percentage of cases that the interior surfaces of pads 16-18 are in
just exactly the "right" position relative to the head 14 on which
the helmet is mounted. As above indicated, the helmets are instead
usually too large and therefore tend to slide relative to the head
when the head jerks during batting or base running, etc.
It has now been conceived to provide a thin fit and comfort band 21
that is associated with a harness 22, and crown pad, which fits
over the athlete's head 14.
The band 21 is adapted to extend around the head at such a location
and orientation that it is present where the interior surfaces of
the lower regions of pads 16-18 are subsequently present (FIG. 5).
The band 21 is resiliently, but without enough tension to create
discomfort, "stretched" around the head 14 so as to be mounted
thereon with a reasonable amount of pressure against the head.
Referring to FIG. 1, and FIG. 2, there is an elastic stretch strip
23 sewn into a gap region 24 in the band 21 in order to create a
tensioning action relative to the band. It is to be understood that
more than one strip 23 (with associated gap regions) may be
provided about the circumference of the band 21.
The fit and comfort band 21 is thin, for example about one-eighth
inch in thickness, when it is mounted on the head 14.
It its preferred form, the band has a 100% cotton knit inner layer
26. This layer 26 is thin, being analogous to the cloth out of
which conventional tee shirts are made. The outer layer, number 27
in FIG. 3, is in the preferred form cotton broadcloth. Provided
between the layers 26,27 is a core layer 28 of fiberfill, namely
the same material that is conventionally employed as a core layer
in quilts. The layer 28 is approximately 1/8 inch thick. It is
preferably of the type that is provided with an adhesive on one
side and is ironed on to one of the layers 26,27.
In accordance with another specific embodiment, not preferred, the
outer layer is stretch Lycra and the inner layer is fine terry
cloth.
The upper and lower edges of the fit and comfort band 21 are sewn
at seams 29,30 indicated in FIG. 3.
Especially because of the core 28, the fit and comfort band keeps
it shape when on the shelf and not in use, instead of merely
collapsing into a seeming mass of cloth. By "keeps it shape" it is
not intended to denote that the band necessarily remains in a
circular configuration when not on the head of the user; it
normally does not.
The fit and comfort band 21 occupies the gap between the inner
surfaces of pads 16-18 and the opposed outer surfaces of the
athlete's head 14. In other words, the band 21 occupies what may be
termed the "margin of fit" that is present because of the fact that
the majority of helmets are oversize.
Because of the fact that the outer layer 27 is broadcloth or
"Lycra", or some other relatively low friction material, the fit
and comfort band is not "grabbed" by the (normally) foam synthetic
resin pads 16-18. In other words, when the helmet 11 is being
mounted on the head as described subsequently, the pads 16-18 do
not excessively hold or grip the band 21 and move it downwardly
below the desired position.
The preferred width for the band is about two inches.
Proceeding next to a description of the harness and protective and
supportive element 22, this is illustrated to comprise a crown pad
32 that is connected to the fit and comfort band 21. Crown pad 32
is connected to the band 21 by a plurality of
circumferentially-spaced flexible strips 33, preferably three
strips spaced at 120-degree intervals. The strips 33 are preferably
stretch elastic strips. The strips 33 are preferably woven elastic
material and are sewn at their lower ends to upper seam 29 and at
their upper ends to the crown pad 32. Means, not shown, may be
provided to vary (adjust) the lengths of the strips 33 for closer
fits on different sizes of heads 14.
Crown pad 32 is centrally located at the upper part of the
athlete's head 14, being held in position by the strips 33 which,
in turn, are anchored on the fit and comfort band 21. Thus, it is
pointed out that the fit and comfort band 21 serves also as a
mounting band or anchor band in that it supports and locates and
anchors the strips 33 that keep the crown pad 32 in the proper
location.
As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, crown pad 32 is a relatively thick
soft core element 34 that is encased in a cloth cover 36 formed
(for example) of "Lycra". The crown pad 32 may be, for example,
generally triangular as illustrated, with each side having a length
of preferably about four inches. The thickness of the crown pad 32
is preferably about three-quarter inch. The upper ends of flexible
strips 33 are sewn into an edge seam 37 that connects an upper
layer of cloth 36 with a lower layer thereof.
It is to be understood that all of the cloth described in this
application may be made highly decorative. Furthermore, the
flexible strips 33 may be covered with decorative cloth or other
material that is not uncomfortable or injurious to the head 14 of
the athlete.
It is to be understood that the donut 19 (FIG. 5) may become hard
with time, and also may tend to shed or break off small foam
regions that can tangle with the hair of the wearer. In any event,
the helmet is or seems quite heavy, especially for a minor. When
the minor is in constant movement, there is a certain amount of
rubbing between the crown and the donut 19, despite the action of
the fit and comfort band 21 in maintaining the helmet 10 against
substantial movements relative to the head 14. For all of these
reasons, the crown pad 32 portion of harness 22 cooperates with the
fit and comfort band 21 in keeping the athlete comfortable despite
wearing of the helmet 10 over what may be relatively long periods
of time.
DESCRIPTION OF THE METHOD
As the first step, the athlete selects a fit and comfort and
anchoring band 21 of such size that it fits resiliently around the
head 14 closely but with insufficient tension to create discomfort.
The band is located in the illustrated position (FIGS. 4 and 5)
that is described above. The lengths of the strips 33 are such
that, when the band 21 is mounted as shown and described, the crown
pad 32 is located over the crown of the head.
As the next step in the method, the athlete grasps the ear pieces
of his or her helmet 10 (FIG. 4) and spreads them apart, while
moving the helmet down over the head and over the
previously-mounted band 21 and harness 22. The helmet is moved down
to the position shown in FIG. 5, and the ear pieces are
released.
Because of the fact that the helmet is somewhat larger than the
head 14, so that there is the above-indicated margin of fit between
pads 16-18 and the exterior of the head 14, and because of the fact
that the outer layer 28 of cloth is not such as to "grab" relative
to the foam synthetic resin (or other pad) elements 16-18, and
because of the presence of the strips 33 which tend to hold the
band 21 in its proper position despite the downward movement of the
helmet 10, the band 21 and thus crown pad 32 remain in the
illustrated locations or ones relatively near them.
In addition, the crown pad 32 aids in keeping the band 21 in its
proper position because the crown pad holds the helmet 10 at a
sufficiently high elevation that the helmet does not by gravity
tend to effect substantial downward movement of the band 21.
The baseball or other activity is then performed by the person
wearing the helmet and the present apparatus, following which the
helmet and the band 28 and harness 22 are removed from the head
14.
While the band 21 is still in place, it absorbs sweat.
While the helmet 10 is not in position, the combination harness
22-band 21 may remain in position as a decorative element. As
previously indicated, it may have various colors and decorations
and patterns, may bear the insignia of a team, etc.
METHOD AND ARTICLE OF FIG. 6
Referring next to FIG. 6, the construction and method are identical
to that described above relative to FIGS. 1-5, inclusive, except as
specifically stated below.
In the article of FIG. 6, a horizontally-elongate flexible bladder
40 is sewn into the fit and comfort band 21 between the layers
thereof. Preferably, there are two sections of the band, namely a
forward section 21a that is identical to the one 21 described above
except for length, and a rear section 21b that preferably has a
somewhat greater vertical dimension than does the forward section
21a. The bladder 40 shown in FIG. 6 is mounted in the rear section
21b.
In FIG. 6, the outer layer 27 of cloth of the rear section 21b of
the band is broken away in order to illustrate pump and valve
elements associated with the bladder, as well as to show part of
the bladder 40. Thus, there is a squeeze bulb 41 have check valves
therein in order to pump up the bladder when the squeeze bulb is
repeatedly compressed. A release valve 42 is also associated with
the bladder and is adapted to release air therefrom when pressed by
the wearer. In an alternative construction, not shown, the bulb for
pumping up the bladder is incorporated in the same location as the
release valve.
Dependent cloth regions are provided forwardly and rearwardly of
the bulb 41 and valve 42, hanging downwardly from the cloth
portions that are on opposite sides of (forwardly and rearwardly
of) these elements, to conceal them.
In performing the method with the embodiment of FIG. 6, the athlete
first mounts the elements 21a and 21b on the head, together with
the harness 22, as described relative to FIGS. 1-5. The bulb 41,
etc., is located at the rear of the head. It is always known that
the bulb will be at the rear because if it is put at the front it
will hang down before the person's eyes, and if it is put at the
side it will hang down over the ears and interfere with proper
mounting of the helmet 10.
After the above-indicated method (described relative to FIGS. 1-5)
is completed, the final step is performed of squeezing repeatedly
on bulb 41 to increase the thickness of the bladder-associated
region of rear portion 21b of the band. This increases the
tightness of the fit between the helmet and the head. After the
athletic activity is completed, the release valve 42 is pressed to
release air from the bladder, following which the helmet, or the
helmet and present apparatus as desired, are removed.
The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as
given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope
of this invention being limited solely by the appended claims.
* * * * *